Welcome to the "I can't believe your making me think about Christmas" edition of the Scoot...
Yeah I know... It's not even Thanksgiving yet. You can imagine the looks I get wishing folks a Merry Christmas as I stroll down the aisles of the local Big Box Hardware store. It's fun. Try it. They're the ones pushing tree ornaments in July.
I was sitting here trying to decide what to write for this edition when my 11-year old son pops into the office and says "Hey Dad, can we get the Polar Express out yet?"
What did I hear? My boy want to play with a train! I would be a proud moment if it weren't so rare. I nearly fell out of the chair when my ears heard this. I stubbed a toe and smashed a thumb in my haste to get to that box quickly.
Sadly, he has no interest in my N scale trains and barely a nod of recognition for HO. I thought I hooked him when I showed him a new Blackstone K-27 but lasted just long enough for him to remember he was in the middle of a video game challenge.
Now the Lionel train on the other hand, THAT has his attention. Always has. I first noticed it when he was simply captivated by a set some guy put on a piece of astro-turf on the floor at the Great American Train Show at the fairgrounds. I spent at least two hours laying on that concrete floor with twenty thousand people walking over us and he was in heaven.
I guess I am not surprised though. Every month I read the story of a newly inducted Master Model Railroader in the pages of NMRA Magazine and nearly every single MMR tells how he got started in the hobby with a new Lionel train he got for Christmas.
Coincidence? I think not. I think I see a correlation.
Maybe the Magic of Model Railroading starts with a fresh Lionel steamer rolling around the tree at Christmas...
Maybe you know a future MMR just waiting to feel that Magic?
So, with that, "Tickets Please!"
Bryan
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